Chinese pull out of Tu-330 development , but leave the door open on a potential four engine version

Published: 5/26/1999

Various recent reports have suggested that China is pulling out of the programme to build the TU-330 transport aircraft. (Concise Aerospace 15 March 1999). According to reports in the Russian media, China is suspending its participation in both the development and manufacture of theTu-330. According to the Russian newspaper ‘Nezavisimaya Gazeta" claims that Chinese specialists consider that the aircraft does not fully meet the requirements of the Chinese Air Force, with safety being referred to as an issue. In particular, the use of two as opposed to four engines on the Tu-330 is perceived as undermining the Chinese “definitive reserve of toughness". There have been reports from within the Tupolev Aviation Scientific-Technical Complex (ANTK) management that contacts with Chinese specialists on this project have been stopped. The Chinese are also reported as having been concerned about the instability of the economic and political situation in the Russian Federation. Other reports - attributed to an ANTK source - claim that China remains interested in continuing discussions and that Russia may suggest a variant of the Tu-330, equipped with four Ivchenko Progress D-436 engines, used on the TU-334, so replacing the Aviadvigatel PS-90s. The Tu-330 has had problems for some time, principally with funding, and progress has been slow. Latest reports suggest that the aircraft still only exists as a wooden mock up in Moscow, with the production drawings still awaiting execution at KAPO, where they have been since late 1997. The principal customer for the plane, the Russian Air Force, was due to take delivery of the aircraft in 1997, The fact that the Chinese have now decided that four engines is more appropriate than two seems a curious decision so late in the day. It may, however, be a device to allow everyone involved to make a face saving withdrawal.

Article ID: 550